Background: Adult failure to thrive is a functional decline usually seen in the elderly. The causes of adult failure to thrive are multifactorial. There is some evidence that adult failure to thrive impacts other co-morbid conditions in patients. There is some data to suggest that adult failure to thrive can impact medical costs and increase morbidity and mortality rates. However, outcomes of adult failure to thrive have not been well-investigated.
Methods: This study is a retrospective analysis of outcomes using a large national administrative database, the Vizient database. Discharge data from 2015-2017 was accessed using ICD-10 codes for adult failure to thrive. Variables analyzed included mortality, ICU admission, length of stay, and direct costs. Appropriate statistical tests were used for data analysis.
Results: A total of 6733 patients were included in the study. Overall mortality observed in these patients was 3.16%. Observed length of stay was 7.34 ± 12.08 days. Mean costs were $ 7,062. We examined gender differences in outcomes. Mortality was not significantly different (3.00% in male vs. 3.30% in female; p=0.5278). Observed length of stay was not significantly different as well (7.43 in male vs 7.23 in female). However, men had significantly higher ICU admission (4.68% in male vs 3.00% in female; p = 0.0004). Costs were not significantly different between the groups ($ 7306 ± 12,899 in male vs. 6853 ± 11,990 in female; p=0.1358).
Conclusions: This retrospective analysis demonstrates outcomes of adult failure to thrive. Few gender differences were noted in outcomes with slightly increased but not significantly different length of stay and costs in male. ICU admission was significantly different between the two groups.